Broken Hearts, Mended Souls

Broken Hearts, Mended Souls Part 5

Denara would spend the next four days and nights with Marcus in his chambers. Their relationship was completely platonic since Marcus dared not attempt to bed his mate until she had been turned. He responded to her questions by saying he was giving her time to get used to the change in their relationship. He could tell it didn't make her happy, yet at the same time, he basked in her desire for him. The emptiness in his life would finally be filled. Even Aro had admired her for the spark of defiance within her. Yet with Marcus, she was all affection and enthusiasm.

He would wait for her to ready for bed and then lie with her at night, where they talked together until she fell asleep. He never told her he did not sleep. He would hold her, and then read a book until she woke in the morning. He even lay on his back while she slept, arms folded behind his head, a small smile on his lips. He had not felt so animated in a very long while, and it was a pleasurable sensation.

One night, Marcus watched the way she curled a hand beneath her cheek and sighed in her sleep. Another night, she drew her legs up, and slept in a tight ball. She murmured indistinguishable sounds and had laughed lightly due to a dream perhaps. On yet another night, she snuggled up to him, murmuring his name. With her so close to him, he wasn't able to read, but he decided to let her use him as her pillow. He leaned over and kissed her flawless cheek, experiencing those feelings he had not felt for centuries. Marcus wondered, if vampires could sleep, would they dream, for this surely was a dream he hoped he might never awaken from. He had been alone for so long, to have that happen would be final death for him.

On the fourth night, as they lay side by side on the large bed, Denara was acutely aware that there was little between their bodies, save for the thin fabric of the nightgown Chelsea had chosen for her and the fabric of Marcus' robe. He always insisted on wearing the robe, because he confessed to sleeping in the nude. It was not true, but Marcus didn't mind the pretense. Her scent was in his robe, and wearing it around him was like his having possessed her already. It kept him close to arousal without pushing him over the edge.

Denara lay on her side, staring at Marcus, a smile slowly forming. She reached out to touch his face, her fingertips lingering over his lips. She leaned in to kiss him, feeling happy the second she felt him respond. When the kiss grew deeper, Marcus pulled back. Denara looked at him. "Why do you do that? I'm not averse to taking what we have to the next level. I may not be that experienced, but I'm not a virgin, Marcus."

"Please, my dear, indulge this old man's ways."

When she peered into his eyes, the brown of his irises seemed darker than she was used to, almost a deep chocolate brown. It must be the lighting in the room that made his eyes seem darker. "Old? You're far from old. Anyway, I think I like a little self-denial. Some men today think for the price of a meal, they're entitled to your bed without knowing one thing about you. This will actually create anticipation and make our first time together all the sweeter."

Marcus listened to her words. If she only knew his true age, and as for abstaining, it was that very thing that would make him a dangerous lover, as long as she was human. He had not cared to be with a woman since Didyme had been destroyed. Marcus hoped she was giving him her blessing even now. He would always love her, but he had the chance for new love, and he wasn't going to let it slip away.

"You seem so far away. If you're tired, we can go to sleep." She gently touched his face.

Marcus laughed low. "No, I'm not tired at all, Denara." To show her, he leaned in to kiss her again, this time a bit harder.

When they parted, Denara felt breathless. She wanted him so badly, but she'd wait as he had asked her. If she could not have him yet, she would tell him what she wanted when it came time for them to give in to their desires.